Hello All:
A year ago last summer, as I was checking over the Tiger for the
upcoming United in Maine, I noticed that my heater valve was starting to
leak a bit, so I ordered a new one from Rick and installed it. In short
order it died and was replaced by a second one from Rick. On the way
home from the United, it died also. Rick replaced that one as well and
I thought everything was fine. The Tiger went into hibernation for the
winter and I have not driven it much this past summer. On Columbus Day
weekend, I had it out and did some driving around with some other
members of TE/AE. The other day, it being a nice day, I started the
Tiger up once more to clean it up and put it away for the winter. As
soon as I started it, I smelled anti-freeze and, when I opened the
bonnet, I discovered that the heater valve had packed it in once again.
This time, when I called Rick, I was told that this last batch of heater
valves has had something near a 100% failure rate and that he did not
have any more of them.
As a consequence of my experience, I would strongly suggest that anyone
who has recently replaced their heater valve with one from Rick take a
careful look at it. As to what to replace it with, I am looking for a
solution, so, if anyone has a suggestion, I would like to hear it. I
have tried to do some research and have seen it reported that the same
valve is found on the Big Healey or the MGC, but I have not gotten
confirmation of that. I also found reports from a while back that the
heater valve from a 78/79 Honda Civic can be used. These things fail on
a pretty regular basis, so I think we need to find an alternative or a
reliable source of supply. In the meantime, I have my valve out of the
car and on its way back to Rick, again. The heater core is bypassed,
but that is just another reason to not drive the Tiger in the winter in
Maine, ;>)
Cheers,
Tod
B382002384LRXFE
TAC #864
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